Greatest film ever made if it upset the delicate ultra moral feelings of people who have lived five minutes. They are too ignorant to see racism for what it is. A great social structure to further your own race☺.Everone is a racist from the beginning of time. Now, for some facts . The Chinese and Japanese have a long history of being racist. They in fact have it today. I am inclined to to think they are right about white people ...President Biden ? What stupid people! It is called race for a reason and whites are losing.

During the course of this film the audience is given a look at the atmosphere of the depression era waterfront near San Diego. There is the traditional Hollywood insertion of the news reporter, all snappy, and irrelevant. The principle character of the Smuggler/Skipper/Father is one of few principles, low moral character, educated by the sea. He epitomizes the sort of man who views the world by what it can give, and he takes with little compunction. But he values only one thing above money, his daughter. At his end he sacrifices all he has left to provide for her! Yes, he is ruthless, self-tormenting,and a survivor at the expense of all but his child. The film has little sympathy for the prostitutes, drunkards, Coast Guard, or other denizens of the port, not even for the "news", or those who read it!

Has anything changed?

Her entry as she comes out of the water should not be viewed by anybody with a heart condition.

I'm going to disagree with learning richard about the racism. Yes, by today's standards it's abhorrent. Heck, I doubt anybody in the audience even at the time would have excused the old man's actions simply because it was a Chinese. But such situations really were a fact of life. We still see it today in the immigrant-smuggling trade. And his callousness is highlighted by the qualms of conscience that his mate has over letting the man die.

Any man is capable of repugnance and also of redemption. I thought that process was well portrayed here.

Ok so I just saw this. It has a heaping helping of racism in it against Asian (ie Chinaman, Chink as referred to in the movie's dialog) folks which precludes it being the "best". That shades the whole movie. The bad guy, the smuggler, commits a horrible murder in the beginning of the movie which makes him a disgusting abhorrent person who cannot be redeemed... yet because the victim is Asian the writers make an assumption that the smuggler seaman can later be redeemed by a good turn.

In modern movies this guy would be rightly seen as a skunk and folks would have cheered his death. No writer in today's world would attempt to redeem this slug.

Outside of that? Great period piece, wonderful views of the waterfront... catchy dialog, and claudette colbert looked and did a great job.

2 stars for the blatant, unapologetic racism. Never mind how well done and watchable the movie is otherwise. As an old film buff I know all about suspending my views on mysogeny, racism, etc... but come on folks this one goes a tad too far for my sensibilities.

I agree almost totally with Karen, this has to be my favourite film at the moment and I'm so glad this version is here.

If it's only one of the best films on the site and not The Best film. Then you've had more success than me searching this site. Perhaps you can give us some of your choice favourites.

I gave the 60 minute version 4 * so this has to be 5*

One of the best films on the archive, and not to be missed. I give this absolute classic my highest recommendation.

YOU SHOULD WATCH IT NOW!!!